Dukes Creek Falls, Georgia

 

“Adopt the pace of nature.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

As our car meandered through the lush forest on the Russell-Brasstown National Scenic Highway which is just north of Helen, Georgia, we came across a National Forest sign that said Dukes Creek Falls. We had been to many of the falls in the Georgia mountains but had not been to these falls. We excitedly pulled into the empty parking lot and displayed our National Park Pass before getting out of the car. From the parking lot, there was a lovely view of nearby Yonah Mountain from a clearing in the parking lot. It was gorgeous even with the weather not being ideal. The day was a cool with a misty rainy with some fog hanging onto the mountains.

Right after we pulled up, two National Park rangers pulled up and we asked them about this trail. They told us it was about a mile to get down to the base of the falls but if we wanted a short walk that is also wheelchair accessible, it was a short 1/10 of a mile to the first viewing platform down a paved path. We were motivated to do the longer walk to the base of the falls. We had a quick drink of water and headed down the well maintained path. As we walked, we could hear the rushing sound of the falls and heard the creek swiftly flowing below us.

The decent of the trail has some steps and platforms but nothing too steep or serious. As we walked further down the green rich creek valley, the trail does a couple of switchbacks where you can get a few glimpses of the towering waterfalls. We noticed along the path was gorgeous lush vegetation with trees wrapped around rocks and gorgeous ferns and other mountain flora.

At the bottom of this trail, we reached the trio of Dukes Creek falls where there are viewing platforms which offer the best views of the falls. The smaller falls on the right, is where you can see Dukes Creek flowing over large rocks to the base of Dukes Creek Falls. Far above, Davis Creek plummets off a rocky cliff 150 feet down into the crystal clear water in the creek below. What a gorgeous falls.

We walked to each of the platforms and stood and enjoyed the views and the sounds of the rushing water. The water from the falls made this area cool and it was so relaxing watching the water flow over the moss covered rocks. What a great place to enjoy some quite time. We were totally alone and did not see a soul until we were on our way back up the trail.

Dukes Creek is a creek in White County, Georgia where gold was first found in 1828. Gold was discovered there as well as Lumpkin County which led to the Georgia Gold Rush. This was the second most significant gold rush in the US which was only beaten by the rush in NC. The creek is a total of 8.76 miles long.

This is one of Georgia’s most popular falls and I can see why. The trail was on the moderate side only because of the walk back up. Most of the trail was dirt and gravel and made for easy hiking. We loved the trail and will definitely stop here again on the way up.

Till next time. Bye for now.